Police on the Mornington Peninsula have fined 94 jet ski riders and boaties during a dedicated operation over the past two months.
Officers on boats, jet skis and at the controls of drones identified riders engaging in acts such as operating too close to shore, speeding in restricted zones close to swimmers, and riding unlicensed or unsupervised.
17 fines were issued for operating a vessel exceeding 5-knots within 200m of the water's edge, while one was caught too close to a structure in inland waters.
Alarmingly, three people were fined for speeding within 50 metres of swimmers.
Among those caught were:
- A 23-year-old man from Jacana was allegedly caught speeding on a jet ski too close to swimmers, whilst unlicensed. He was issued an infringement notice for operating a vessel without a marine licence, operating a vessel at a speed exceeding 5 knots within 50 metres of a person, and operating a vessel without compulsory safety equipment. He was fined $1679.
- A 16-year-old boy from the northern suburbs was intercepted by police after alleged dangerous behaviour on a jet ski at Safety Beach. Checks revealed the boy was operating a hired vessel and allegedly failed to provide police with information on the owner of the jet ski. He was fined $1113 for exceeding 5 knots within 50 metres of a person and 200m of the shore.
These riders are among almost 90 fined, with other issues identified including not carrying the correct safety equipment and being onboard the watercraft while being towed on land.
These infringement notices were issued as a result of 196 vessel safety checks and 244 preliminary breath tests, with three riders retuning positive results.
Officers from Rosebud, Dromana, Rye and Sorrento, Water Police ran this operation which commenced at the start of December.
Drones were used to observe, detect and intercept offences on the water, with police waiting at boat ramps and along the pier to speak with them.
This operation runs in conjunction with Operation Summersafe, which involves patrols by local police, the Public Order Response Team, Water Police, Transit officers, and the Mounted Branch at popular beach locations including Altona, Williamstown, Port Melbourne, Safety Beach and Portsea.
Water and beach safety operations will continue until the end of March.
Quotes attributable to Frankston and Mornington Peninsula Commander Superintendent Anne Rudd:
"As Melbourne has sweated through a scorching start to 2026, we have seen an increase in jet ski riders and boat operators failing to have proper safety equipment this summer.
"This is incredibly alarming, because if something goes wrong and you don't have the correct safety equipment, you are in serious trouble.
"The ocean is incredibly unforgiving, and every precaution needs to be taken in order for you to get back to dry land safely.
"We want people to come and enjoy the beautiful beaches the Mornington Peninsula has to offer, but we need them to make better decisions to make sure everyone can have fun safely."
Quotes attributable to Water Police Sergeant Kristie Clappison:
"Police spoke to unlicenced riders who were on jet skis unsupervised, as well as people assuming they could ride a jet ski given they had their boat licence.
"This is not the case, and anyone who wants to ride a jet ski needs the correct personal watercraft endorsement.
"Another offence we saw far too often was vessels traveling above the 5-knot limit inside the 200 metre markers or close to other vessels and swimmers.
"This is incredibly reckless and a serious injury or fatality waiting to happen. A swimmer will always come off second best if they are struck."
